Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland

[justbeingelle]

Just thought I'd start a thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland because it seems as though it can vary from the rest of the UK.

DH and I have been TTC since June 2018. Started investigations around July 2019. I have a large ovarian cyst which will be removed, hopefully after Christmas. Getting a laparoscopy and dye to check tubes too. I have very regular periods and I am ovulating. DH has a low sperm count, but the ones he has are good quality. Still awaiting results from ultrasounds, genetic tests etc so still feel like we're at the beginning of our journey. This is our first time TTC and we've not had a hint of a BFP.

Anyone else?

Hiya @sheepytheduck I was yes, tested positive on Valentine's Day and I am 5weeks now, so here is the example that it works! :)

Amazing news Lily, Congratulations! It's always lovely to hear a positive story.

Thank you @sheepytheduck, if you have any questions at all (even TMI :) ) I am here and happy to help.

Thanks @Lily999, I really appreciate that . im sure i'll have lots of questions over the next few weeks!

Hi everyone hope it’s ok if I join.

DH and I are early 30s, TTC over 3 years, one chemical pregnancy 2 and a half years ago and nothing since. We’re unexplained infertility but they think my severe endometriosis might have something to do with it. I also have a very short luteal phase but they aren’t concerned about that.

Our journey so far has been:

• started TTC jan 2017
• went to GP Jan 2018, I had day 21 progesterone test and DH did sperm analysis
• May 2018 first appointment at Glasgow Royal assisted conception service, discussed results of tests (all fine) and had TV scan and referred for hycosy
• Summer 2018 I had hycosy which showed tubes clear
• autumn 2018 had a follow up appointment where they referred me for Laparoscopy due to suspected endo (extreme pain every month where I can’t sleep and struggle to function)
• jan 2019 lap surgery confirmed deep endo which was not removed
• May 2019 met with dr who went over options- for endo could go on contraceptive pill or have more surgery which came with risks to my bowel. I elected to just push forward with fertility treatment and put up with the pain as did not want to delay treatment. In any event Pregnancy can resolve endo symptoms, sometimes long term. We were told we were getting put on the waiting list.
• November 2019 We called Glasgow Royal just to check in and were told we were not on list and had not TTC long enough (nearly 3 years at that point). I was extremely distressed and said we had been told we were going on the list. They said they’d look into it and eventually they confirmed it was their mistake we weren’t on the list and gave us an urgent appointment.
• December 2019- appointment to take bloods for AMH, take swabs, check BMI and smoking test
• January 2020- appointment to fill in forms, given protocol, told to call at next period.

Just got a call that our forms were not filled out right at last appointment even though we checked them with nurse at the time, so to go in a few days to sort that out.

Not been the smoothest ride so far! We’ve been told they are doing all ICSI at the moment so will probably do that, unless they get lots of eggs then they’ll do ivf. My AMH is on the high side so I’m on the mildest protocol to avoid risk of OHSS.

Sorry that was a bit of an essay. I see everyone is at different stages, it has been helpful for me to read the experiences of those further on in the process and hope this info may help those not as far along.

Fingers crossed that everyone is doing ok just now whatever stage they’re at.

@Lily999 congratulations!

Hi @kikisparks,

That sounds pretty stressful, i'm glad they got you in for an appointment relatively quickly once they realised their mistake. Hopefully the forms get sorted quickly too. We're at the royal too, just a little bit behind you by the sound of it, we got our protocol today.

Just an update from me - reached top of the waiting list after 2.5 months. Next appointment early April 😊 hope this helps everyone else who is waiting xx

@SheepytheDuck thanks it was pretty stressful but hopefully will go to plan now.

Not long for you to start now either! What protocol are you on?

@Scotgirl1 glad to hear that, it feels so good to know the ball is rolling doesn’t it

@SheepytheDuck just saw you’re doing short protocol and your AMH is 34. My AMH is 27 and they told me it’s high and I’m at risk of OHSS if they give me too high a dose so it’s probably the same for you?

I think I’m on short protocol too although they haven’t said. It’s protocol 1.

@MelAndShoe sorry to hear about your AMH being low. Did they say anything about your protocol? What I do know is they still offer ivf no matter what your AMH, it just determines which protocol you are put on. If it was guaranteed not to work then they wouldn’t spend the money on it. I’m guessing you may need a higher dose of fertility drugs.

@SheepytheDuck Yes, we just have to trust the doctors to know best don't we 😄
I'm doing good, on my third week of down reg and feel it more this week. Been more tired and sleepy. Have my baseline scan this Friday, then the fun will start 😅

That's great @Scotgirl1! Xx

@kikisparks we’re protocol 1 too. At the appointment I wasn’t told that I was high risk for ohss but that must be what they’re thinking because the protocol doesn’t involve down reg. I’m hoping they have space for me on my next period. I was told I’ll have my virology appointment on day 14 of the 1st cycle and then start stims on day 2 or 3 of the following period, which will hopefully be the start of April. Have you been told similar?

@Pinecone88 yeah absolutely, they know what they’re doing. I’m glad it’s going well, hope it’s all systems go for you on Friday!

@Scotgirl1 that’s great news, it’s always a hard wait so that’s good you now have a date to work towards.

@SheepytheDuck yes we were told once I phone with my next period we both go in for a blood test on day 14 to check for hiv/ hep b/ hep c. Then the period after that I phone on day 1 then start injections on day 2 or 3.

Hi ladies, just catching up. I've been back at work after having an operation to remove an ovarian cyst they found during initial tests. Been full on being back at work but we're going on holiday this weekend so I'm looking forward to that, it's good to have a bit of down time. Got an appointment coming up at GRI after being referred from monklands so I'm hoping that means we're now at the top of the waiting list.

@NG9876 that's fab is your appointment Monday coming?

@SheepytheDuck welcome! That's so exciting! Fingers crossed for this cycle 😄

@Lily999 that's fantastic, congratulations! So happy for you it's great to hear a positive story.

@kikisparkssorry to hear you've had a difficult journey so far, it sounds so stressful. Fingers crossed you'll be able to get started on your next cycle.

@Scotgirl1 that's fantastic! Very exciting, we have an appointment in a few weeks (referred after all tests from monklands to GRI) so I'm hoping that means we're top of the list. Did your letter say you had reached the top?

@MelAndShoe sorry to hear about your AMH level. I know it's difficult but try not to lose hope ❤️

That's good you have an appointment soon @justbeingelle! How did your op go? Yes, this monday, just for 'screening'.
Can I ask what people are doing to prepare for IVF? Part of me thinks I should be off caffeine and alcohol, the other part of me thinks I should enjoy myself!

@NG9876 I’ve been off alcohol the last 2 years. I started off my own bat and then the doctor told me to stay off it at my first hospital appointment. Some research says drinking large amounts of coffee (over 5 cups a day) affects ivf success rates. I drink 2 cups of tea a day, I did cut that out too at one point but I went back to it.

Hi all!
Wanted to update you on my progress. Went for my baseline scan yesterday and they also had to repeat blood tests for me and hubs as treatment did not start within 3 months of the last tests.
Scan went great and really fast, I am on track and started stims yesterday evening. I have to do 1 injection of Meriofert every evening.
Next Friday is my next scan to see how many follicles have grown, if all goes super well the earliest I can have egg retrieval is 02/03.

@NG9876 I have not had any alcohol for 3.5 years, so that's off. I have not limited my caffeine yet, but now since I started stims I think i will. I find it difficult though. I limited my intake of wheat (that's due to wheat sensitivity though). I mainly just took care of my mental health more.

Hoping it all goes well for you @pinecone88 ! Great it's all moving on for you. I got a letter through today with our first appointment at The Royal. It said to fill in all the forms but there isn't any!

@NG9876 Thank you :)
Congrats on the first appointment! That is weird about the forms though! It's like they forgot to attach them or maybe they will be sent in a separate letter. It's frustrating that every clinic does it differently and there is no "norm" when it comes to these things.

@justbeingelle it doesn’t say we are at the top but
It has a timeline attached and this is the dirt ‘ART’ appointment. Second one we should find out protocol and then it’s a case of waiting for next period.

@NG9876 they tell you not to drink during treatment and I think anything less than two coffees a day is ok. Ive read so much - some people do nothing and others avoid everything. Sometimes it just feels like luck!

First not dirt!!

Hey ladies, I'm also in Scotland. Unexplained infertility, 2 miscarriages (one after IVF). I'm just starting my 6th cycle, an FET. So grateful to have the treatment on the NHS and my clinic has been fab apart from one consultant who has made things very confusing for us. Good idea to have a Scotland chat. 🤗